Doomed Confessionary: Josh Dingel (Serac)
Serac is a sludge/noisecore band from Minneapolis in Minnesota, formed in 2017. Gross amalgam of sludge, noise rock, and post-metal with environmentally-tinged lyrics.
Featuring current and former members of Cache, Aziza, Livid, Former Worlds and Timesloth, the band just dropped their debut album »Baring Teeth In A Famine« on December 13th, 2024. It marks a significant chapter for Serac – a reflection of chaos, survival, and the raw human condition.
Serac are Christian Moser (bass, vocals), Cole Benson (guitar, vocals), Josh Dingel (drums, vocals) and Brent Ericson (guitar, vocals).
Fans of Neurosis, KEN Mode, Unsane, His Hero Is Gone, Torche, Today Is The Day, and the like, pay heed.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Serac formed in 2017 and plays extreme noise rock in memory of those unfortunate souls that drank dirty sludge water and died of dysentery on the Oregon Trail.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
One consistent challenge has been playing metal in a metal band while simultaneously trying to explain to other metalheads that we aren’t really metalheads. We definitely love metal. We definitely love metalheads. But 3 out of 4 of us couldn’t really give a shit about “the big three” or whatever is basic heavy metal knowledge. Our guitarist Brent may be the exception. He keeps us from losing our metal card.
What can you be most proud of so far?
I’d say we’re most proud of the LP we just released, »Baring Teeth In A Famine«. I think most in the band would agree that it is a very cohesive and focused musical vision. From the artwork, to the lyrical themes, to the music itself, it’s a statement on what our country appears to be devolving back into.
What was your biggest regret?
Good question. Our biggest regret is playing stupidly loud music in a tiny room in our drummer’s basement for a good minute in 2018 or 2019. We’ve since upgraded to a bigger rehearsal space with less harsh reflections, but 2 out of the 4 members have some sick tinnitus because of cymbals and amps pointed directly at our ear canals.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Best show was probably either opening for Conan or KEN Mode at the Turf Club. We also really enjoy closing out a seafood eatery every year. Free fish and beer!
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Probably the biggest surprise is how magically after Covid settled down and shows came back, everyone simultaneously: (1) decided that shows should actually charge more than 5 bucks to support touring bands; and (2) shows should start and end at a sane hour. Not as sure about other cities, but Minneapolis must have had a secret meeting and voted that punk time is forever dead and no, we’re not going to start a five-band bill on a Tuesday night at 10 p.m.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Right now it’s a heavy dose of Chat Pile, Grin, and CANDY.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Playing a stupid idea smartly is 10x better than playing a smart idea stupidly.
What are your guilty pleasures?
HARDY.
Can you say something more about current music scene in Minneapolis?
Start more sludge bands! But seriously the Minneapolis scene is always strong. People are clamoring for mixed genre bills if the bands are good and bands are often hard to pigeon hole. There’s something in the water here where both musicians and audiences appreciate being challenged and making original music. Maybe its because Minneapolis is off the beaten path as far as touring goes. We’re an isolated little ecosystem.
Where can we see you live soon (concerts/tours)?
We’ll be playing the LP at a show on March 8th at Zhora Darling in Minneapolis.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Right now we’ve got some plans on a split album that are super exciting. Don’t want to spoil too much, but if you like some of our members’ other projects (Cache, Another Heaven, Wanderer) you are in for a treat.
Did you have any special plans for New Year’s Eve?
Nah.
How can people best support your band?
Review the new LP! Spread the word! Tell your friends that their taste blows if they don’t know who we are!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Get offline (but go buy a tape from us first).
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well